Back in the Saddle

By Madeline St. John

Mimi LaFleur, septuagenarian party animal, never met a cliché or a man she didn’t take to like a duck to water. She finds herself stuck on a ranch in Ojai while headlining a crime conference with her uptight, young assistant Lizzie, who chronicles their adventures.

Mimi’s built a marketable reputation as everyone’s favorite crime solving grandma on TV, but a compromising photo from her chorus girl days has found its way into the hands of bestselling author Kayleigh. When Kayleigh’s body is discovered with Mimi hovering over it, Mimi’s in hot water.

Lizzie must add beating a murder rap to her list of usual duties: fetching cocktails, scheduling beauty appointments, and riding herd over Mimi’s Little Poopsie, twenty pounds of snowy Persian fluffiness infused with the vim and vigor of a small Rottweiler.

Lizzie doesn’t have to look too hard for suspects. Kayleigh left behind a ghostwriter denied the limelight, a jilted boyfriend, and a fading literary star jealous of her success. Finding the culprit proves to be more difficult—Lizzie may not have a snowball’s chance in Hades.

Back in the Saddle Again is a 6,000 word short story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Madeline St. John
• Release date: Jan 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301003037

Madeline St. John

SWF seeks readers to share a few laughs: About me: I love the ocean and getting out every day to bike, run, kayak, hike or skate. I like to dance, listen to bands, and explore new places. I can't cook. Julia Child rolls over in her grave when I pick up a spatula. I'm not a huge movie fan, but I'll watch Point Break or Die Hard anytime they come on TV. I own Star Trek, the Matrix, and all six hours of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. Yeah, baby. I listen to all types of music with a soft spot for cheesy lite hits from the seventies (who can deny the universal appeal of "Muskrat Love"?). Book I wish I could write: Confederacy of Dunces. I can admit that I'm a terrible driver. And I own way, way too many shoes. And, sometimes, I sing along to the muzak in dressing rooms. About Back in the Saddle: Back in the Saddle is a 6,000 word cozy mystery. If you like your tea lukewarm, your kitties fluffy, and your romance unconsummated, this story is right down your charming, cobblestone-lined alley. About you: You have an ereader or Kindle for your desktop. You are willing to part with 99 cents in exchange for a bit of diversion and a few chuckles.

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